Russ Feingold: “I cannot support the procedure that the majority and minority leaders have concocted to speed a supplemental spending…”

“I cannot support the procedure that the majority and minority leaders have concocted to speed a supplemental spending bill to conference without debate or amendments--and without even writing the actual bill. I share the desire of my colleagues to pass this important bill as soon as possible. But that is no excuse for us avoiding our responsibilities as legislators. Passing a symbolic resolution is not an acceptable alternative to writing, considering and working to improve legislation that provides tens of billions of dollars for a broad range of programs and that addresses the most pressing issue facing the country--the President's disastrous policies in Iraq. When it comes to legislation as important as this, we need full debate and votes. We can do this quickly--I am prepared to have this debate and consider amendments right away, and to stay as long as it takes to get it done. But we should do it openly and on the record. The votes we had yesterday on Iraq amendments to an unrelated bill are no excuse for bypassing the regular legislative process today. I admit, it is easier and quicker if we just send a placeholder bill to conference, so that the real work can be done there. But we do a disservice to our constituents, and to this institution, by passing the buck like that. The American people are calling on us to end the war in Iraq. They deserve to see this debate, even if it slows us down by a few hours.”